Although the first primary votes won't be cast for months, the fundraising totals are a measure of a candidate's ability to draw the financial backing needed to survive an unprecedented crush of early primaries. California, New York and about 18 other states will hold primaries on Feb. 5 or are considering moving them up to that date.

"It's going to be the longest and most expensive presidential race in American history, and these first-quarter numbers are a telltale sign of that," said Michael Toner, former chairman of the Federal Election Commission.

The early disparities in fundraising among Romney, Giuliani and McCain are no prediction of who will win the nomination, said Kenneth Mayer, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "All three of them are still in the game," he said.

The money raised by Romney and Giuliani exceeds the previous fundraising records set in both major parties for the first quarter before an election year. However, the Republicans lag behind Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose campaign disclosed Sunday that she had $36 million in receipts. The New York senator's first-quarter total includes $10 million she transferred from her 2006 Senate campaign and some money donated for the general election if she wins the primary.

The dollars reported by Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, "are indicative of the extraordinary success he has had reaching out and discussing important issues with the American people," spokesman Kevin Madden said. It includes a $2.35 million personal loan from Romney in early January to help fund campaign start-up costs.

Romney is in single digits in several national polls. Madden said the campaign hoped it could sustain a fundraising edge, noting the Romney would launch a series of community forums today.

Giuliani's first-quarter receipts include roughly $1 million transferred from his aborted 2000 Senate campaign. He raised another $2 million for his presidential bid in late 2006, so he has brought in a total of $17 million.

Most of Giuliani's donations — more than $10 million — were raised in March alone, according to spokeswoman Maria Comella.

Giuliani campaign manager Mike DuHaime said the pace of March fundraising is a "positive indication of what's to come."

McCain, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in 2000, had sought to lower fundraising expectations in recent weeks. He said his campaign started late and he had been focusing more on getting votes than seeking contributions.

McCain campaign manager Terry Nelson said Monday that the senator's campaign was "pleased with the organization we've built" but acknowledged that "we had hoped to do better in first-quarter fundraising."

Nelson said steps were underway to improve fundraising performance. McCain's campaign reported he had received 60,000 contributions, averaging $200 each.

Individuals can contribute up to $2,300 per election or $4,600 for the primary and general election. Candidates are allowed to transfer money from other federal campaign accounts.

Mayer said fundraising in the coming months will be crucial. California and New York are populous states with expensive advertising markets. "If you don't have $100 million before the primaries, you won't be able to sit at the adults' table," he said.

None of the candidates detailed their expenditures, and only Giuliani disclosed how much money he has available: $11 million.

"The cash-on-hand figure is critical," Toner said. "It reflects the resources they have to fight in the months ahead. The devil is in the details."

Those details will be included in first-quarter financial reports due April 15 to the Federal Election Commission.

Two other Republican contenders also offered initial first-quarter numbers. Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback's campaign said it raised $1.3 million and transferred $575,000 from his Senate campaign. Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, who announced his candidacy Monday, told the Associated Press that he has raised a little more than $1 million.

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Though former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, right, is leading in the polls, ex-governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney is leading in fundraising numbers by $8 million.

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